Hughes Out, Officially (Updated)

AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes just released a statement confirming a report that he will retire effective Dec. 16 – the date of the State Labor Federation’s next Board meeting.

Hughes, who has held his post for 12 years (since March 23, 1999), announced his decision at today’s regularly-scheduled executive board meeting. A successor will be elected on Hughes’ last day on the job, and will take office immediately.

“It’s just the right time,” Hughes said. “I have been blessed with a smart, experienced, energetic staff who will keep this organization vibrant and strong for years to come. We also have a solid, principled and innovative executive board that knows how to work together for the greater good of all working men and women,” said Hughes, noting that the looming redistricting makes this a good transition time for the 2.5-million member umbrella labor organization.

“Now is the time for new leaders to emerge who will be around long enough to formulate, develop and implement labor’s strategy for the future,” he added. “And it is time for a new generation of leaders to address the labor movement’s numerous long-term initiatives.”

The departing labor leader pointedly did not endorse a successor. His chief of staff, Mario Cilento, has been mentioned. Cilento has never run a union before, and would be following the career path of his current boss, who was elected after working as executive assistant to his predecessor.

UPDATE: An AFL-CIO source says the board decided today that Cilento will serve out the remainder of Hughes’ term, and Melvin – who is a board member – will not be running. Hughes’ term ends this summer, at which point the AFL-CIO will elect a new president to serve a full four-year term.